Publication

While the international community can take satisfaction from the peaceful process that has produced an independent Kosovo recognized by 70 sovereign states, there are important steps that must be taken before we can be comfortable that Kosovo will not again destabilize the Western Balkans, and that the region’s integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions can be completed. Kosovo lacks United Nations membership, yet the U.N. finds itself stuck with a mission there. Meanwhile, Serbia is dissatisfied and the Russians are displeased. It will not be easy to complete the process in a way that resolves these remaining issues, but it is time to make a start.